System and method for remediation of wastewater including aerobic and electrocoagulation treatment

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system or method for the remediation of wastewater with a treatment media in tandem with an electrocoagulation system. The system and method also include cleaning elements for cleaning distribution lines within the system and for cleaning the electrocoagulation system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and method for the remediation ofwastewater. The remediation includes aerobic and electrocoagulationtreatment.

SUMMARY

Over the last several years, an increase production of livestock anddairy products has resulted in a large quantity of waste that affectsair and water quality in the surrounding areas. In addition, miningproduction also produces waste that is costly and difficult toremediate. Additionally, regulations on carbon dioxide and otherbyproducts have increased costs for power due to costly remediationmethods.

In addition, a challenge in municipalities is the treatment ofwastewater, including sewage water, stormwater runoff and septic tankwaste. Domestic wastewater contains a plethora of residues from cooking,to cleaning to sanitary waste. A growing population puts additionalchallenges on an already strained system and municipalities struggle toeconomically and efficiently deal with wastewater. Wastewater treatmentfacilities play an important role in protecting water quality and thehealth of the community. Regulations on the federal, state and locallevels assist in meeting this important role, but are often timesdifficult to meet.

The present invention addresses these and other problems by meeting theincreasingly strict discharge permit requirements set forth by differentgovernment regulations. In addition, this present invention relates to asystem and method to treat wastewaters from various sources. Inaddition, the system and method and system may be used to remediatewaste that has built up in the bottom of bodies of waters, such aslagoons or tailing ponds, without costly shut downs.

The present invention relates to a wastewater treatment systemcomprising a biological treatment system and an electrocoagulationsystem. The combination of these systems eliminates a wide spectrum ofwastes. Furthermore, each system is complimentary to the other. Thebiological treatment system eliminates wastes that theelectrocoagulation system may not sufficiently remove, while theelectrocoagulation system eliminates wastes that the biologicaltreatment system may not sufficiently remove.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a system for remediatingwastewater. The system comprises a primary cell, a finishing cell and anelectrocoagulation cell or unit. The primary cell comprises treatmentmedia that may be used to remove organics, inorganics, simple carboncompound comprising less than six carbon, phosphates, nitrates, ammonia,selenium and combinations thereof. The finishing cell may be used toremove solids, that may have been produced in the primary cell, from thetreated water. The electrocoagulation cell reduces at least onesecondary contaminant, including but not limited to, organics,inorganics, pharmaceuticals, bacteria, viruses, fecal chloroforms,phosphates, nitrates, metals, radioactive materials (radds) andcombinations thereof. The water exiting the electrocoagulation cell maybe discharged into public streams or may be recycled within thewastewater treatment system.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a method for remediatingwastewater. The method comprises processing the wastewater in a primarycell to reduce the biological oxygen demand (BOD) in the wastewater. Thefinishing cell may decrease the total suspended solid (TSS) in thewastewater. The TSS may have increased due to treatment in the primarycell. The electrocoagulation cell may be used to remove a secondarycontaminant.

An aspect of the invention is a wastewater treatment system for treatingwastewater, the system comprising a primary cell, having a treatmentmedia to treat the wastewater to produce a treated wastewater, theprimary cell further having a plurality of plate diffusers and aplurality of baffles for directing flow of the wastewater through theprimary cell, and wherein the primary cell reduces BOD in the wastewaterby at least about 50%; a finishing cell, to separate the treatedwastewater from the treatment media and to reduce TSS in the treatedwastewater to produce a further treated wastewater; and anelectrocoagulation unit, to further treat the further treated wastewaterto produce a purified water.

An aspect of the invention is a method of treating a wastewater, themethod comprising treating the wastewater in a primary cell, by atreatment media to produce a treated wastewater; separating thetreatment media from the treated wastewater; and purifying the treatedwastewater in an electrocoagulation cell to produce a purified water.

An aspect of the invention is a method of treating a wastewater, themethod comprising treating the wastewater in a primary cell, by atreatment media, wherein the treatment media is hydrogen peroxide, at atemperature below about 4° C. to produce a treated wastewater;separating the treatment media from the treated wastewater; andpurifying the treated wastewater in an electrocoagulation cell toproduce a purified water.

An aspect of the invention is a method of remediating built-up waste ina body of water, the method comprising providing a mixing unit to aprimary cell; mixing the built-up waste with a wastewater in a primarycell to produce a remediating wastewater, wherein the remediatingwastewater is treated with a treatment media to produce a treatedwastewater; separating the treatment media from the treated wastewater;and purifying the treated wastewater in an electrocoagulation cell toproduce a purified water.

An aspect of the invention is a method of converting carbon dioxide, themethod comprising providing carbon dioxide to a wastewater; treating thewastewater in a primary cell, wherein the wastewater is treated with atreatment media to produce a treated wastewater; separating thetreatment media from the treated wastewater; and purifying the treatedwastewater in an electrocoagulation cell to produce a purified water.

These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed in greater details.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wastewater treatment system in a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a retrofitted existing lagoon facility in a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a biological control system in a preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an electrocoagulation and struvite system in apreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of an electrocoagulation systemwith certain components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for the remediationof wastewater including aerobic and electrocoagulation.

An embodiment of the present invention is a wastewater treatment system.The system comprises a primary cell. The wastewater is treated withinthe primary cell with a treatment media to produce a treated wastewater.The treated wastewater is sent to a finishing cell, where the treatmentmedia settles in the finishing cell to separate the treated wastewaterfrom the treatment media. Treatment with the treatment media may occurin the biological treatment system of the wastewater treatment system.The treated wastewater is further delivered to an electrocoagulationcell to produce a more refined treated wastewater.

The wastewater treatment system comprises a biological treatment systemand an electrocoagulation cell. In the biological treatment system,wastewaters are treated to decrease the biological oxygen demand (BOD)in the wastewater. Wastewaters entering the headworks of the wastewatertreatment system may comprise about 100% BOD. The headworks may reducelarge inert waste, for example, plastics, towels, clothing and the like.The wastewater then enters the biological treatment system of thewastewater treatment system and the BOD may be reduced by between about50% to about 80%. The total suspended solid (TSS) may increase in thebiological treatment system as sugar is converted to bacteria. TSS aresolids that are bigger than about 0.45 microns. If a secondary cell isused in the biological treatment system, then the BOD may again bereduced by between about 50% to about 80%. The TSS level may alsodecrease in the finishing cell as it settles in the finishing cell andis removed. The BOD of treated waters entering the electrocoagulationcell may further be decreased to greater than about 85% to about 99%, insome embodiments about 95% compared to the wastewater entering thewastewater treatment system. It is important to note that without thebiological treatment system, the electrocoagulation cell may only reduceBODs by about 75%. Some municipalities require that the BOD be reducedby at least about 85%. Thus, the biological treatment system incombination with an electrocoagulation cell meets BOD regulated levels.The treatment media may be any suitable oxidizing material. In someembodiments, the treatment media is an aerobic plant or microbialmaterial, nutrient or living organism. In one embodiment, the treatmentmedia is a plant or microbial, such as algae. In some embodiments, thetreatment media may be bacteria, fly ash, activated carbon, lime, thelike and combinations thereof. The aerobic action of the algae resultsin oxygenation of the wastewater. In some embodiments, the treatmentmedia may be hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide may be used at anytemperature, but may be a preferred treatment media at temperatures lessthan about 4° C. (about 40° F.).

Treated wastewater or purified water as used throughout thespecification includes water free from total dissolved solids, and totalsuspended solids. Water free of organics may include water containingcolloidal clay, metal ions, alkali metals, alkali earth metals,halogens, and noble gases. Water substantially free of organics andinorganic indicates the ability to treat water making items separable intrace amounts. In some embodiments, treated water may be used todescribe waters that have been treated with the treatment media in thebiological treatment system, while purified water may be used todescribe waters that have been treated in an electrocoagulation cell.

Wastewater may be produced in various industries. Sources of wastewaterinclude, but are not limited to, utility plants, surface waters,including river waters, manufacturing, concentrated animal feedoperation (CAFO), sewage, including septic tanks, mining, oil recovery,gas recovery, gas conversion, combinations thereof and the like. Thewastewater treatment system may reduce odors associated with processedfluids. In some embodiments, the wastewater may be or further comprisecarbon dioxide, for example carbon dioxide produced in power plants. Thewastewater containing or comprising carbon dioxide may be treated withthe treatment media to convert the carbon dioxide to oxygen. Thebiological process of the biological treatment system allows theelectrocoagulation cell further downstream to release the oxygen gas andseparate the byproduct, such as algae or single cell algae, from thetreated waters.

In the primary cell, the wastewater is oxygenated with the treatmentmedia. The primary cell may be any suitable shape. In some embodiments,the shape of the primary cell is chosen so that no void spots existwithin the primary cell. This may be accomplished through the use ofbaffles in some embodiments. In still other embodiments, the primarycell may be an oval, conical, cylindrical or the like. In still otherembodiments, the primary cell may comprise one or more lagoon. In someembodiments, the primary cell may comprise a plurality of platediffusers, and/or a plurality of baffles. The plate diffusers may be ofany shape or size. The plate diffusers mix the wastewater. In someembodiments, the diffuser is a fine bubble diffuser, a coarse bubblediffuser or combinations of fine and coarse bubble diffusers, while inother embodiments, the diffusers are plate diffusers. In still otherembodiments, a combination of different types of diffusers may be used.The primary cell may also comprise a plurality of baffles. The bafflesmay be any shape or size. In some embodiments, the baffles are acurtain-type structure. Baffles may direct the flow of the fluid withinthe primary cell. The baffles may also control the flow of the fluidwithin the primary cell. Any suitable material may be used to form thebaffles. In some embodiments, the material for the baffles may bealuminum, concrete, dirt, soil, corrosion resistant materials, stainlesssteel, steel, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the wastewater treatment system may furthercomprise a biological control center. The biological control center mayfurther comprise a greenhouse, at least one culture tank, a filteredfresh water source, a growth light, a microbial introduction unit, amicroalgae feed supply unit, at least one distribution manifold and apurge unit. The culture tank may comprise micronutrients, bacteria,enzymes, treatment media, additives, growth media, carbon dioxide andcombinations thereof and may grow the treatment media for use within thewastewater treatment system. The biological treatment system mayintroduce microbials into the primary cell. Some selected species ofalgae are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,804, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety. The microalgae feed supplyunit may comprise macro and micro nutrients. The biological controlcenter may further comprise at least one immersion heater. The immersionheater may be any suitable heating unit. By way of example, theimmersion heater may be a stainless steel tank heater. The immersionheater may heat the growth tank to a temperature between about 0° C. toabout 100° C., in some embodiments between about 15° C. to about 27° C.In some embodiments, the immersion heater may increase the temperatureof the growth tanks in the biological control center to a temperature ofabout 15° C., about 20° C., about 25° C., and about 27° C. Thebiological control center may further comprise at least one distributiontank. The biological control center may further comprise a liquid levelcontrol unit, wherein the liquid level control unit controls thedistribution tank. In some embodiments, the control unit may be manuallyoperated, while in other embodiments, the control unit may be automated.

In some embodiments, the wastewater treatment system may furthercomprise at least one algae distribution tube for distributing thetreatment media from the biological control system to the primary cell.The algae distribution tube may be capable of distributing algae and mayalso be capable of purging the distribution tube with air or fluid inorder to clean or clear the distribution tube of the treatment media orother components.

The wastewater system may further comprise a headworks. The headworksfilters and removes large bodies for disposal. The headworks may begravity based or utilize mechanical means, such as pumps, to move thewastewater to the primary cell. The headworks may also be the incomingpoint of wastewaters from multiple sources for treatment in thewastewater treatment system. Wastewaters exit the headworks fortreatment in the biological treatment system of the wastewater treatmentsystem.

The wastewater system may further comprise a pump to move the treatedwastewater from the finishing cell to the electrocoagulation unit. Pumpsand valves may be used throughout the system in order to control theflow of fluids within the system and/or to move fluid from one locationwithin the wastewater treatment system from one part of the system toanother system. The pumps may be sized to accommodate a certain flowrate of the wastewater.

The wastewater treatment system may further comprise a recycling unit torecycle the treatment media from one location in the system to anotherlocation within the system. For example, the treatment media may berecycled from the finishing cell to the primary cell, and/or a lagoon.In some embodiments, sludge from the electrocoagulation unit may also berecycled to the primary cell, a lagoon and/or a sludge pit. In stillother embodiments, discharge streams in various units may be recycled tothe inlet of the system and/or an upstream system (i.e. the biologicaltreatment system).

The wastewater treatment system may further comprise a treatment mediadistribution unit. The treatment media distribution unit may compriseseveral elements including a compressor building, at least onefractional hp air compressor, a plurality of weighted air line, and aplurality of weighted distribution treatment media lines. The treatmentmedia distribution unit distributes the treatment media throughout thewastewater treatment system.

The wastewater treatment system may include a solar power unit forpowering the wastewater treatment system.

The wastewater treatment system may further comprise a mixing unit. Themixing unit may enhance the suspension of the treatment media and wastematerial in the wastewater treatment system. Mixing units may reside inany location within the wastewater treatment system, by way of examplein a lagoon, the primary cell or secondary cell. The mixing unit may bea vertical laminar mixing unit, a fine or coarse bubble diffuser, oranother suitable mixing unit. The mixing unit may be retrofitted into anexisting location in the wastewater treatment system.

In some embodiments, the wastewater treatment system may be used toremediate and reduce waste products within a body of water, for examplea lagoon and/or pond. Lagoon® may comprise heavy metals, hydrocarbons,phosphate, and other waste products that may be treated in thewastewater treatment system. The mixing unit may be used to remediatebuild up of waste products in the body of waters by re-suspending thewaste products into the wastewater, which is then processed in thewastewater treatment system. Thus, the wastewater treatment system maybe an alternative process to costly toxic waste removal and processing.Furthermore, unlike toxic waste removal, the body of water maycontinually accept new waters without having to be “shut down” in orderto process settled waste products.

The wastewater treatment system may be retrofitted into an existingwastewater treatment facility. The existing wastewater treatmentfacility may be an existing lagoon wastewater treatment facility.

Some embodiments of the present invention may further comprise asecondary cell. The secondary cell may comprise a finishing cell and aplurality of diffusers. In some embodiments, the finishing cell and thesecondary cell are separate cells. In other embodiments, the secondarycell may further comprise a plurality of baffles.

In some embodiments, the primary cell and/or any additional cells may bea lined earth basin.

The wastewater treatment system may further comprise a plurality ofdistribution lines to distribute the treatment media within thewastewater treatment system. The distribution lines may further includea purge unit, or may be capable of purging the distribution lines, inorder to reduce build-up within the purge lines. The build-up may becaused by the growth of the treatment media, bacteria, cells, and/or toremove suspended solids, metals or other particles or sludge, as well asany combination thereof, within the distribution lines. The distributionlines may also be purged in the event that the treatment media growswithin the distribution lines.

The electrocoagulation unit may be any suitable unit. By way of example,a suitable electrocoagulation unit has been described in U.S. Pat. No.6,139,710 or 8,048,279 which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. The electrocoagulation unit of the wastewater treatment systemmay further include at least one clarification tank and a clean fluidtank. The clarification tank may comprise an inner separation cylinderand an outer cylinder. The electrocoagulation unit may further comprisea sludge collection pit and a sludge drying pit.

In some embodiments, the wastewater treatment system may include anelectrocoagulation tank cleaning system. The electrocoagulation tankcleaning system cleans the electrocoagulation tank as required and maybe automatically activated or may be activated manually. Theelectrocoagulation tank cleaning system may comprise at least one cleanfluid tank, a clean fluid supply for supplying clean fluid from thefluid water tank to the electrocoagulation unit, and a used fluid tubefor providing used fluids from the electrocoagulation unit. Theelectrocoagulation cleaning system may provide cleaning fluids to theelectrocoagulation tank in order to clean the tanks. Cleaning fluids mayinclude any acids such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric, phosphoric,acidic acid, and any combination thereof. Cleaning fluids may alsoinclude bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and thelike. The electrocoagulation tank cleaning system may further compriseat least one pump for supplying the clean fluid to theelectrocoagulation unit. In some embodiments, the electrocoagulationtank cleaning system may further include at least one tank drain linefor removing the cleaning fluid from the clean fluid tank.

Some embodiments of the wastewater treatment system further comprise atleast one acid supply tank and/or at least one base supply tank. Theacid supply tank may hold an acid and the base supply tank may hold abase and are capable of supplying an acid and/or a base to theelectrocoagulation tank to regulate the pH of the electrocoagulationunit. The acid may be selected from the group consisting of phosphoricacid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid and combinations thereof. The base maybe selected from the group consisting of magnesium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, calcium hydroxide and combinations thereof. The concentrationof the cleaning solution may vary. In some embodiments, between about,10% to about 15% sulfuric acid may be used.

The wastewater treatment system of the present invention may alsoinclude at least one sludge tank and at least one drying bed. The dryingbed receives sludge from the electrocoagulation unit and the sludge maybe dried in the drying bed.

The wastewater treatment system may also include at least onepurification fluid tank. The purification fluid tank where fluid removedfrom the sludge tank may be provided to the purified fluid tank. Thepurified fluid in the purified fluid tank may be supplied to theelectrocoagulation unit. The purified fluid may also be supplied to aclean fluid tank.

The present invention also includes a method of treating a wastewater ina system. The method includes treating the wastewater in a primary cell,where the wastewater is treated with a treatment media to produce atreated wastewater, separating the treatment media from the treatedwastewater, and purifying the treated wastewater in anelectrocoagulation cell to produce a purified water.

The treatment media may be any suitable oxidizing material. In someembodiments, the treatment media is an aerobic plant or microbialmaterial, nutrient or living organism. In one embodiment, the treatmentmedia is a plant or microbial, such as algae. In some embodiments, thetreatment media may be bacteria, fly ash, activated carbon, lime, thelike and combinations thereof. The aerobic action of the algae resultsin oxygenation of the wastewater. In some embodiments, the treatmentmedia may be hydrogen peroxide.

The primary cell may include a plurality of plate diffusers to mix thewastewater in the presence of the treatment media. The primary cell mayalso include a plurality of baffles to control the flow of thewastewater within the primary cell. The primary cell may remove at leastone primary contaminant from the wastewater. The primary contaminant maybe selected from the group consisting of organics, inorganics, a simplecarbon compound comprising less than six carbon, phosphates, nitrates,ammonia, selenium and combinations thereof. Treatment in theelectrocoagulation unit reduces at least one secondary contaminant. Thesecondary contaminant may be selected from the group consisting oforganics, inorganics, pharmaceuticals, bacteria, viruses, fecalchloroforms, phosphates, nitrates and combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the residence time in the primary cell may depend on thecontaminants within the wastewater. The wastewater may be treated in theprimary cell for between about 2 hours to about 6 months. In someembodiments, the wastewater is treated in the primary cell for betweenabout 3 days to about 6 months. In some embodiments, the wastewater istreated in the primary cell for between about 14 days to about 21 days.In still other embodiments, the wastewater is treated in the primarycell for a minimum of 14 days, while in some embodiments, the wastewateris treated for a minimum of 3 hours in the primary cell.

A secondary cell may also be used in the method for treating thewastewater. The secondary cell may include a plurality of diffusers tofurther mix the treated wastewater and/or a plurality of baffles tocontrol the flow of the treated wastewater within the secondary cell.The residence time in the secondary cell may depend on the contaminantswithin the treated water exiting the primary cell or in the wastewaterentering the primary cell. In some embodiments, the wastewater may betreated in the secondary cell for between about 2 hours to about 6months. In some embodiments, the wastewater is treated in the secondarycell for between about 3 days to about 6 months. In some embodiments,the wastewater is treated in the secondary cell for between about 14days to about 21 days. In still other embodiments, the wastewater istreated in the secondary cell for a minimum of 14 days, while in someembodiments, the wastewater is treated for a minimum of 3 hours in thesecondary cell.

The finishing cell may treat waters for between about seven days toabout 6 months.

The electrocoagulation unit may be used to reduce at least one secondarycontaminant in the wastewater. The secondary contaminant may be selectedfrom the group consisting of organics, inorganics, pharmaceuticals,bacteria, viruses, fecal chloroforms, phosphates, nitrates, metals,radds and combinations thereof. The residence time in theelectrocoagulation unit may vary. In some embodiments, the residencetime in the electrocoagulation unit is between about 1 second to about 2days. In some embodiments, the residence time in the electrocoagulationunit is between about 10 seconds to about 3 minutes, from about 1 minuteto about 10 minutes, in still other embodiments about 1 minute. Theoperating temperature of the electrocoagulation unit may be any suitabletemperature such that the waters being processed in theelectrocoagulation unit are liquid. In some embodiments, the operatingtemperature is between about 0° C. to about 100° C.

The method may be used to treat a wastewater fluid produced in aprocess. The process may be selected from the group consisting of autility plant process, a manufacturing process, CAFOs, surface waters,including river waters, a municipal wastewater treatment process,including processing sewage fluids and septic tank fluids, a miningprocess, an oil recovery process, a gas recovery or conversionprocesses, combinations thereof and the like. The method used may alsoreduce odors emitted during the treatment of the wastewater. In someembodiments, the wastewater may be or further comprise carbon dioxide,for example carbon dioxide produced in power plants. The wastewatercontaining or comprising carbon dioxide may be treated with thetreatment media to convert the carbon dioxide to oxygen. The biologicalprocess of the biological treatment system allows the electrocoagulationunit further downstream to release the oxygen gas and separate thebyproduct, such as algae or single cell algae, from the treated waters.

The system and method may further be described as illustrated in FIGS.1-5. FIG. 1 illustrates an overall wastewater treatment system 100. Thewastewater treatment system 100 comprises a biological treatment system101, which comprises a primary cell 104, and a secondary/finishing cell112. Effluent flows into the primary cell 104. The effluent may bewastewater provided directly from a process or may be effluent from oneor more holding basing for example a lagoon. Effluent may also berecycled from the discharge of the wastewater treatment system 100. Theprimary cell 104 may comprise baffles 104 a and/or diffusers 104 b. Theeffluent is oxygenated in the primary cell 104 with a treatment mediathat is distributed in the primary cell 104. The treatment media may beprovided to the primary cell 104 from the biological control center 108.The fluid exiting the primary cell 104 enters a secondary/finishing cell112. Valves and pumps may be used throughout the system to direct andcontrol the flow of fluids between the different cells and tanks. Asshown in FIG. 1, the secondary/finishing cell 112 may be one cell withtwo compartments at least partially separated by divider or baffle 112d, or it may be two separate cells comprising the secondary cell 112 aand the finishing cell 112 b. The secondary cell 112 a may havediffusers 112 c and/or multiple baffles 112 d. An optional cell liftpump pit 114 may receive the fluid from the finishing cell 112 b of thesecondary/finishing cell 112. Alternatively, the treated fluid may bedirected directly to the electrocoagulation unit 116. Sludge leaving theelectrocoagulation unit 116 may be collected in the drying pit 118.Drying bed 118 may be any suitable device to dry or concentrate sludge.In some embodiments, the drying bed 118 is a sludge drying pit, a filterpress, a belt press a vacuum clarifier, a hydrocyclone or the like. Theelectrocoagulation unit may further comprise a clarification unit. Theclarification unit may comprise at least one clarification tank.Alternatively, the clarification tank may be separate from theelectrocoagulation unit. Furthermore, processed fluid exiting theelectrocoagulation unit 116 may be directed to the biological controlcenter 108. Processed water exiting the electrocoagulation unit 116 mayalso be discharged to the outfall pipe. Fluid from the floor drain ofthe electrocoagulation unit 116 may be directed to the cell lift pumppit 114.

Compressor building 110 may be used to distribute air throughout thesystem 100, including to diffusers within the primary cell 104 and theoptional secondary cell 112. The headworks structure 124 may be used toremove large articles from the wastewater inlet for disposal and iscommonly known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a retrofitted existing lagoon combined with thewastewater treatment system 200. Two lagoons 222 and 223 are illustratedin FIG. 2, though it is understood that any number of lagoons 222 and223 may be used without deviating from the present invention. Lagoon 222may be act as the primary cell and lagoon 223 may act as the secondarycell. Inlet wastewater may be processed through the headworks 224, priorto lagoon 222. Lagoon 222 may include diffusers 222 a. Diffusers 222 amay be used to remediate waste products that may have accumulated in thelagoon. The lagoon 222 may also include an algae culture line 222 b. Thealgae culture line 222 b may be connected to the biological controlcenter 208. The lagoon 222 may also include a plurality of baffles 222c. The second lagoon 223 may comprise a plurality of diffusers 222 a anda plurality of baffles 222 c. Compressor building 210 may provide fluid,such as air, to the diffusers 222 a in the lagoon 222 and/or lagoon 223.Fluid may exit the first lagoon 222 and enter the second lagoon 223,where the second lagoon 223 acts as the secondary cell. Fluid from thesecond lagoon 223 may enter an optional second headworks 224 to removeany large particles prior to entering and the electrocoagulation unit216. Sludge from the electrocoagulation unit 216 may be collected in thedrying bed 218. Processed fluid from the electrocoagulation unit 216 maybe discharged to sewers, rivers, recycled to the inlet stream or othersuitable locations.

FIG. 3 illustrates a biological control system 308. The biologicalcontrol system 308 may comprise an algae growth tank 328 and the algaedistribution system 326. The algae growth tank 328 may grow thetreatment media within the algae growth treatment media may include tank328. Treatment media may include algae. The algae distribution system326 may distribute the treatment media from the algae growth tank 328 tothe wastewater treatment system. The algae distribution system 326 mayalso be used to provide clean water and/or air to the distribution linesthat provide the treatment media throughout the wastewater treatmentsystem in order to clean or clear the distribution lines of growth fromthe treatment media.

FIG. 4 illustrates an electrocoagulation and struvite system 400.Effluent fluid is provided to the electrocoagulation unit 416. Thesystem 400 may comprise a base tank 430, which may contain about anybase in a sufficient concentration to drive struvite formation. In someembodiments the concentration of the base is between about 0.1M to about10M. In some embodiments, the base is Mg(OH)₂, KOH, Ca(OH)₂ andcombinations thereof. The base may be provided in stoichiometric excessin order to drive the struvite formation to completion. The system 400may also comprise an acid tank 432, which may contain about betweenabout 75% to about 99% of an acid, in some embodiments about 95% of anacid such as H₃PO₄. The acid may be provided in a stoichiometric balancewith the base in order to drive the struvite production. In someembodiments, the amount of ammonia is measured in order to determine theamount of acid and base required. The acid and base may be mixed toadjust the pH and may be provided to the electrocoagulation unit 416 atan appropriate pH. The electrocoagulation may work over a pH range ofbetween about pH 4 to about 12. When struvite is being produced, the pHmay be at a range of between about 7 to about 10, in some embodiments, apH of about 8.

Valves may be used to eliminate the acid or base flow to theelectrocoagulation unit 416. The system 400 may be equipped with valvesand pumps throughout the system 400 to control and direct the flow offluids within the system 400.

The system 400 may also comprise an optional in place cleaning system.The system 400 may comprise a clean fluid holding tank 434, which mayprovide a clean fluid to the electrocoagulation unit 416 in order toclean the electrocoagulation unit 416. The clean fluid holding tank 434may contain a cleaning solution which is between about 10% to about 15%of the acid or base. By way of example, the cleaning solution may be thesame acid provided for use in struvite production and may be providedfrom acid tank 432. In some embodiments, the acid may be about 10% toabout 15% sulfuric acid. It is understood that any suitable acid orcombination thereof may be used. In some embodiments, the acid may beHCl and/or acetic acid. The cleaning solution may be used over and overuntil the cleaning solution is spent (worn out). When the cleaningsolution is spent, it may be place in the electrocoagulation feed tankfor disposal through the electrocoagulation process.

Disinfected and purified water may held in storage tank 436. Water maybe provided to the storage tank 436 from any clean water source,including sources outside of the system 400, such as city or portablewater. The disinfected and purified water may be provided to theelectrocoagulation unit 416 and/or may be provided to the clean fluidholding tank 434. The electrocoagulation process floods the water withelectrons causing bacteria, virus, algae, and other living organisms tolice. In the presence of sodium chloride the electrocoagulation processmay produce sodium hypochlorite or bleach.

Fluid exiting the outflow portion of the electrocoagulation unit 416 maybe provided to one or more clarification tanks 438. The clarificationtank 438 may be any suitable clarifier. In some embodiments, theclarification tank 438 may be a pond (settling), a decant tank, afiltration tank, or the link. In some embodiments, the clarificationtank 438 may further comprise a rake or a sonic vibrator to move sludgewithin the clarification tank 438 and prevent the sludge from ratholing. In some embodiments, the clarification tank 438 may compriseseveral sections including the inner and outer separation cylinder 438a, the upper sludge 438 b and the lower sludge 438 c. Fluid in the innerand outer separation cylinder 438 a is disinfected and purified waterand may be provided to the storage tank 436, the sewage line 440, or thedrying bed 418, and/or may be discharged from the system 400. In someembodiments, discharge from the system 400 may be recycled to the inletof the electrocoagulation system 400 and/or the biological treatmentsystem. By way of example, the disinfected and purified water may bedischarged to a sewage line 440 (which may be above or below groundlevel). The disinfected and purified water is on the top most portion ofthe clarification tank 438 and is above the upper sludge limit 438 b. Aswould be understood by one skilled in the art, the upper sludge limit438 b and lower sludge limit 438 c may vary in the clarification tank438. In some embodiments, the upper sludge limit 438 b and the lowersludge limit 438 c may be used to filter solids through a sludgeblanket. In some embodiments, a small amount sludge should remain in theclarification tank 438. The outlet for the disinfected and purifiedwater may be located at any suitable location on the clarification tank438. Sludge remaining in the clarification tank 438 may be directed to adrying bed 418. The drying bed 418 may be located underground or may beabove ground.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of an electrocoagulation andstruvite system 400 with certain components. FIG. 5 illustrates theinner and outer separation cylinder of two clarification tanks 438. Itis understood that though two clarification tanks 438 are illustrated inFIG. 5, any number of clarification tanks 438 may be used withoutdeviating from the invention. The electrocoagulation unit 416 isconnected to the clarification tanks 438 with distribution lines. Theclean fluid holding tank 434 may provide cleaning fluid to theelectrocoagulation unit 416. The system 400 may also comprise and acidtank 432 and/or a base tank 430 for struvite production. In someembodiments, the fluid in the clean fluid holding tank 434 may be usedas the acid tank 432. Purified water supply from the storage tank 436may also be provided to the electrocoagulation unit 416. Sludge exitingthe clarification tanks 438 may be directed to the drying bed 418.

Colloidal clays, bacteria, virus, suspended solids, dissolved solids,metal oxides, hydro carbons, the like and combinations thereof may beremoved with the electrocoagulation unit. Table 1 illustrates examplesof different contaminants that may be removed using theelectrocoagulation unit. Table 1 illustrates the amount of a contaminantpresent in a water sample prior to use in an electrocoagulation unit,the concentration after processing in the electrocoagulation unit andthe removal rate.

TABLE 1 REMOVAL CONTAMINANT BEFORE (mg/L) AFTER (mg/L) RATE (%) Aldrin(pesticide) 0.0630 0.0010 98.40 Aluminum 224.0000 0.6900 99.69 Ammonia49.0000 19.4000 60.41 Arsenic 0.0760 <0.0022 97.12 Barium 0.0145 <0.001093.10 Benzene 90.1000 0.3590 99.60 BOD 1050.0000 14.0000 98.67 Boron4.8600 1.4100 70.98 Cadmium 0.1252 <0.0040 96.81 Calcium 1,321.000021.4000 98.40 Chlorieviphos (pesticide) 5.8700 0.0300 99.50 Chromium139.0000 <0.1000 99.92 Cobalt 0.1238 0.0214 82.71 Copper 0.7984 <0.002099.75 Cyanide (Free) 723.0000 <0.0200 99.99 Cypermethrin (pesticide)1.3000 0.0700 94.60 DDT (pesticide) 0.2610 0.0020 99.20 Diazinon(pesticide) 34.0000 0.2100 99.40 Ethyl Benzene 428.0000 0.3720 99.91Fluoride 1.1000 0.4150 62.27 Gold 5.7200 1.3800 75.87 Iron 68.34000.1939 99.72 Lead 0.5900 0.0032 99.46 Lindane (pesticide) 0.1430 0.001099.30 Magnesium 13.1500 0.0444 99.66 Manganese 1.0610 0.0184 98.27Mercury 0.7200 <0.0031 98.45 Molybdenum 0.3500 0.0290 91.71 MP-Xylene41.6000 0.0570 99.86 MTBE 21.5800 0.0462 99.79 Nickel 183.0000 0.070099.96 Nitrate 11.7000 2.6000 77.78 Nitrite 21.0000 12.0000 42.86Nitrogen TKN 1,118.8800 59.0800 94.72 NTU 35.3800 0.3200 99.10 O-Xylene191.0000 0.4160 99.78 PCB (Arochlor 1248) 0.0007 <0.0001 85.71 PetroleumHydrocarbons 72.5000 <0.2000 99.72 Phosphate 28.0000 0.2000 99.28Platinum 4.4000 0.6800 84.55 Potassium 200.0000 110.0000 45.00Proptamphos (pesticide) 80.8700 0.3600 99.60 Selenium 68.0000 38.000044.00 Silicon 21.0700 0.1000 99.50 Sulfate 104.0000 68.0000 34.61 Silver0.0081 0.0006 92.59 Tin 0.2130 <0.0200 90.61 Tolulene 28,480.0000 0.227099.99 TSS 1,560.0000 8.0000 99.49 Vanadium 0.2621 <0.0020 99.24 Zinc221.00 0.14 99.90 Americium-241 71.9900 pCi/L 0.5700 pCi/L 99.20Plutonium-239 29.8500 pCi/L 0.2900 pCi/L 99.00 Radium 1093.0000 pCi/L0.1000 pCi/L 99.99 Uranium 0.1300 mg/L 0.0002 mg/L 99.83 Bacteria110,000,000.00 cfu 2,700.00 cfu 99.99 Coliform 318,000.0000 cfu <1.00cfu 99.99 E coli Bacteria >2,419.20 mpn 0.00 mpn 99.99 EnterococcusBacteria 83.00 mpn <10.00 mpn 82.87 Total Coliform Bacteria >2,419.20mpn 0.00 mpn 99.99

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, thedescription is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosedherein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with theabove teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, arewithin the scope of the present invention. The embodiment describedhereinabove is further intended to explain the best mode known forpracticing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art toutilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with variousmodifications required by the particular applications or uses of thepresent invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construedto include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

1. A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater, the systemcomprising: a primary cell, having a treatment media to treat thewastewater to produce a treated wastewater, the primary cell furtherhaving a plurality of plate diffusers and a plurality of baffles fordirecting flow of the wastewater through the primary cell, and whereinthe primary cell reduces BOD in the wastewater by at least about 50%; afinishing cell, to separate the treated wastewater from the treatmentmedia and to reduce TSS in the treated wastewater to produce a furthertreated wastewater; and an electrocoagulation unit, to further treat thefurther treated wastewater to produce a purified water.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a biological control center, having: (i) agreenhouse; (ii) at least one culture tank; (iii) a filtered fresh watersource; (iv) a growth light; (v) a microbial introduction unit; (vi) amicroalgae feed supply unit; (vii) at least one distribution manifold;and (viii) a purge unit.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein thebiological control center further comprises at least one immersionheater.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the biological control centerfurther comprises at least one distribution tank.
 5. The system of claim2, wherein the biological control center further comprises a controlsystem, to control the biological control center.
 6. The system of claim5, wherein the control system is manually operated.
 7. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the control system is automated.
 8. The system of claim2, further comprising at least one algae distribution tube fordistributing algae from the biological control system to the primarycell.
 9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a headworks.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a pump to move the treatedwastewater from the finishing cell to the electrocoagulation system. 11.The system of claim 1, further comprising a recycling unit to recyclethe treatment media from the finishing cell to the primary cell.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a treatment media distributionsystem, the treatment media distribution system comprising: (i) acompressor building; (ii) at least one fractional hp air compressor;(iii) a plurality of weighted air lines; and (iv) a plurality ofweighted distribution treatment media lines.
 13. The system of claim 1,further comprising a solar power source.
 14. The system of claim 1,further comprising a mixing unit.
 15. The system of claim 14, whereinthe mixing unit is a vertical laminar mixing unit.
 16. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the mixing unit is selected from the group consistingof a fine bubble diffuser, a coarse bubble diffuser and combinationsthereof.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary cell includes atleast one body of water.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprisinga mixing unit, wherein the mixing unit remediates waste products in theat least one body of water.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein thesystem is retrofitted to an existing lagoon wastewater treatmentfacility.
 20. The system of claim 1, further comprising a secondarycell, wherein the secondary cell comprises a plurality of diffusers andthe finishing cell.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the treatedwastewater is further treated within the secondary cell with thetreatment media to produce a further treated wastewater, wherein thesecondary cell further comprises a plurality of baffles.
 22. The systemof claim 20, further comprising a plurality of baffles.
 23. The systemof claim 1, wherein the primary cell is a lined earth basin.
 24. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the secondary cell is a lined earth basin.25. The system of claim 1, wherein the finishing cell is a lined earthbasin.
 26. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofdistribution lines to distribute the treatment media.
 27. The system ofclaim 12, further comprising a purge unit, wherein the purge unitreduces build-up within the plurality of weighted distribution treatmentmedia lines.
 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the build-up isselected from the group consisting of treatment media, bacteria, cells,and/or to remove suspended solids, metals, other particles, sludge, andcombination thereof.
 29. The system of claim 1, further comprising anelectrocoagulation tank cleaning system, comprising: (i) a clean fluidtank; (ii) a clean fluid supply for supplying clean fluid from the fluidwater tank to the electrocoagulation unit; and (iii) a used fluid tubefor providing used fluids from the electrocoagulation unit.
 30. Thesystem of claim 29, further comprising at least one pump for supplyingthe clean fluid to the electrocoagulation unit.
 31. The system of claim30, further comprising a tank drain line for removing fluid from theclean fluid tank.
 32. The system of claim 29, further comprising: anacid supply tank, wherein the acid supply tank holds an acid; and a basesupply tank, wherein the acid supply tank and the base supply tank arecapable of supplying an acid and a base to regulate the pH of theelectrocoagulation unit.
 33. The system of claim 29, further comprisinga base supply tank, wherein the base supply tank holds a base, andwherein the base is supplied to the electrocoagulation unit.
 34. Thesystem of claim 33, wherein the base is selected from the groupconsisting of magnesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calciumhydroxide and combinations thereof.
 35. The system of claim 29, furthercomprising an acid supply tank, wherein the acid supply tank holds anacid, wherein the acid is supplied to the electrocoagulation unit. 36.The system of claim 35, wherein the acid is selected from the groupconsisting of phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid andcombinations thereof.
 37. The system of claim 29, further comprising: aclarification tank, for receiving sludge from the electrocoagulationunit; and a drying bed, wherein the sludge from the clarification tankis dried.
 38. The system of claim 37, further comprising a purificationfluid tank, wherein fluid removed from the clarification tank isprovided to the purified fluid tank.
 39. The system of claim 38, whereinpurified fluid in the purified fluid tank is supplied to theelectrocoagulation unit.
 40. The system of claim 37, further comprisinga clean fluid tank, wherein purified fluid from the purified fluid tankis supplied to the clean fluid tank.
 41. The system of claim 1, whereinthe wastewater treatment system further comprises: at least oneclarification tank system, wherein the at least one clarification tanksystem comprises an inner separation cylinder and an outer cylinder; anda clean fluid tank.
 42. A method of treating a wastewater, the methodcomprising: treating the wastewater in a primary cell, by a treatmentmedia to produce a treated wastewater; separating the treatment mediafrom the treated wastewater; and purifying the treated wastewater in anelectrocoagulation cell to produce a purified water.
 43. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the treatment media is algae.
 44. The method of claim42, wherein the primary cell comprises a plurality of plate diffusers tomix the wastewater.
 45. The method of claim 42, wherein the primary cellcomprises a plurality of baffles to control the flow of the wastewaterwithin the primary cell.
 46. The method of claim 42, further comprisinga secondary cell, wherein the secondary cell comprises a plurality ofdiffusers to further mix the treated wastewater and a plurality ofbaffles to control the flow of the treated wastewater within thesecondary cell.
 47. The method of claim 42, wherein the treatment in theprimary cell removes at least one primary contaminant, wherein theprimary contaminant is selected from the group consisting of organics,inorganics, a simple carbon compound comprising less than six carbon,phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, selenium and combinations thereof. 48.The method of claim 42, wherein the wastewater is treated in the primarycell for between about 2 hours to about 6 months.
 49. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the waste water is treated in the primary cell for atleast about 3 hours.
 50. The method of claim 42, wherein the primarycell is at least one lagoon.
 51. The method of claim 42, wherein thepurification step in the electrocoagulation cell reduces at least onesecondary contaminant, wherein the secondary contaminant is selectedfrom the group consisting of organics, inorganics, pharmaceuticals,bacteria, viruses, fecal chloroforms, phosphates, nitrates, metals,radds and combinations thereof.
 52. The method of claim 42, wherein thetreatment step in the primary cell removes at least one primarycontaminant, wherein the primary contaminant is selected from the groupconsisting of organics, inorganics, a simple carbon compound comprisingless than six carbon, phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, selenium, andcombinations thereof, and wherein purification step in theelectrocoagulation cell reduces at least one secondary contaminant,wherein the secondary contaminant is selected from the group consistingof organics, inorganics, pharmaceuticals, bacteria, viruses, fecalchloroforms, phosphates, nitrates, metals, radds and combinationsthereof.
 53. The method of claim 42, wherein the wastewater beingtreated is a fluid produced from at least one source, wherein the sourceis selected from the group consisting of utility plant, surface waters,river waters, manufacturing, concentrated animal feed operation, sewage,septic tank, mining, oil recovery, a gas recovery, gas conversion,municipalities, combinations thereof.
 54. The method of claim 42,wherein the method reduces odors emitted during the treatment of thewastewater.
 55. The method of claim 53, wherein the process is the gasrecovery or conversion process, wherein carbon dioxide is treated in theprimary cell to convert the carbon dioxide to oxygen and a biologicalwaste material.
 56. The method of claim 42, wherein the primary cellfurther comprises a mixing unit, wherein the mixing unit remediateswaste product within the primary cell for processing.
 57. A method oftreating a wastewater, the method comprising: treating the wastewater ina primary cell, by a treatment media, wherein the treatment media ishydrogen peroxide, at a temperature below about 4° C. to produce atreated wastewater; separating the treatment media from the treatedwastewater; and purifying the treated wastewater in anelectrocoagulation cell to produce a purified water.
 58. A method ofremediating built-up waste in a body of water, the method comprising:providing a mixing unit to a primary cell; mixing the built-up wastewith a wastewater in a primary cell to produce a remediating wastewater,wherein the remediating wastewater is treated with a treatment media toproduce a treated wastewater; separating the treatment media from thetreated wastewater; and purifying the treated wastewater in anelectrocoagulation cell to produce a purified water.
 59. A method ofconverting carbon dioxide, the method comprising: providing carbondioxide to a wastewater; treating the wastewater in a primary cell,wherein the wastewater is treated with a treatment media to produce atreated wastewater; separating the treatment media from the treatedwastewater; and purifying the treated wastewater in anelectrocoagulation cell to produce a purified water.
 60. The method ofclaim 59, wherein the carbon dioxide in the wastewater is treated withthe treatment media by converting the carbon dioxide to oxygen and abyproduct; and separating the byproduct from the treated wastewater.